New guidelines for livestock keepers' rights

Livestock Keepers Rights were developed to achieve recognition for livestock keepers as custodians of animal genetic resourcesWRENmedia

A new set of guidelines on Supporting livelihoods and local livestock breeds has been published by the LIFE Network (Local Livestock for Empowerment of Rural People). The guidelines have been written to support those working with communities on the sustainable use and conservation of animal genetic resources, and the realisation of livestock keepers' rights. "These guidelines are long overdue," the authors write. "They are urgently needed to counteract the rapid loss of livestock breeds and to support rural livelihoods. Only if ecologically responsible livestock keepers receive sufficient recognition and support will it be possible to conserve breeds, livelihoods and the environment in marginal areas."

Presenting three principles and five rights that would enable and encourage livestock keepers to continue keeping their breeds and making a living, the Declaration on Livestock Keepers' Rights was developed through a series of consultations that took place in 20 countries with hundreds of livestock keepers.